Owen Brought Up From Iowa For Utility Role

ATLANTA — The Cubs recalled infielder Dave Owen from their Triple-A Iowa club Tuesday to take the roster spot of outfielder Billy Hatcher, who went on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

Owen was hitting .227 at Iowa with a career-high 11 homers, and had a 15- game hitting streak from July 3-18. Cubs` manager Jim Frey plans to use Owen in a reserve role at second, third and shortstop.

``We needed an extra player who is available to play in the field as well as pinch-run or pinch-hit,`` Frey said. ``This will enable us to make some extra moves.``

-- Pitcher Dave Gumpert, who pulled a groin muscle against the Phillies over the weekend, is expected to miss the rest of the season. He has not been placed on the DL yet because the Cubs already have seven players on the list, the limit.

-- Steve Trout threw batting practice Tuesday for the second time since going on the disabled list. He threw hard for about 15 minutes. Frey is hoping Trout can start Saturday night in Cincinnati.

-- Cubs` president Dallas Green was in Atlanta to get a closer look at the team to help with his postseason evaluations.

-- Condolences to Cubs` trainer Tony Garofalo, whose mother, Mamie Garofalo, died Monday in St. Louis. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Cubs Care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 250 E. Superior St., Chicago 60611.

-- Frey said he was misquoted in a wire service story that appeared in an Atlanta newspaper Tuesday. The story quoted Frey as saying ``it would be absurd for me to believe that we can honestly look to any talent coming from the farm system until at least 1987.``

Frey said Tuesday: ``First of all, I don`t think I`ve ever used that word before . . . `absurd.` I would never make a statement like that. This is embarrassing to me. I don`t like this at all.``

-- Braves` reliever Terry Forster has complained of stiffness in his left shoulder since pitching Sunday against San Diego.